Page 213 - Neglected Arabia (1902-1905)

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Sabeans, and Turkish soldiers and officials. The Bedouin Arab,
a frequent visitor in town, lives on the large plains extending
back and along the river. We had every opportunity to meet some
of each of these classes named, and found them all very polite _
and obliging. The foreigner is still a stranger there but he is :
treated with respect and is not troubled with rude, inquisitive _
• hangers-on. We lived in a “ khan " or hostlery situated on the ;
very bank of the river and quite open to every cool breeze which I
might blow. There we received visitors and talked with many
who were willing listeners. We also called at the houses of
officials and at one place accepted an invitation to dinner. On
Sunday we resolved to hold a little service inviting the few Chris-
tians whom we had met but none appeared, so that the service
became a sort of Bible-study class with our helpers.
Of all with whom we attempted conversations on religious
themes, the officials were the most discouraging. They would
not admit that Christ's teaching as recorded in Scripture was the
only Truth, but neither did they care much about the good or
bad in their own teachings. They were good Mohammedans in
name and that seemed to satisfy them. The Sabeans, or Star-
worshipers, for whom the Mohammedans have little respect,
seemed to give us the impression that they were the “ chosen
people," and were ever complaining that they were sorely op­
pressed and persecuted. They are not strong in things religious
nor do they appear to care whether men are interested in their
teachings or not. Of others who came and were in real earnest
two are very worthy persons to know. 'One was a Jew who was
in government employ. He came relating how tired he was of
••• living in the town and how he detested Islam and no longer found
any good in Judaism. He wanted us to help him to get away
among Christians and confessed to like Christianity. Upon further
examination we found that he did not have a true hankering
after Truth in Christianity, except as he was sure that it was not in '
Islam and not in his father's faith. We then talked to him out of
the Bible until he saw the weakness of his position, and we offered
the best in Christ. Later he called again and said that he did not

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